Sammi completed her Master of Arts in Education and Bachelor’s Degree in History at Westminster College. She earned her Lower Elementary AMS Montessori Credential through Westminster’s Institute for Montessori Innovation (IMI). Previously, Sammi worked in youth and teen programming for the I.J. & Jeanné Wagner Jewish Community Center’s after-school and summer camp. Sammi has been with Elizabeth Academy / Garfield School since 2018.

Sammi lives in the Sugar House with her husband, Jason, and infant son, Marty. She loves to play with her dog, Winnie, garden, hike, and camp.

Mya joined the Elizabeth Academy/Garfield School staff with two years of experience working as a childcare provider. She enjoys baking, and dancing in her free time. But most of all watching her baby girl grow!

Alina was raised in Alpine Utah, and moved to SLC during high school. During her senior year at Highland High, she enjoyed a focus on child development curriculum. She worked at a preschool within the Child Behavioral Therapy Unit, helping to integrate kids with autism into the classroom setting.

After some college experience, Alina enjoyed traveling and being a nanny to many children in Portland, OR, Denver, CO and Kauai, HI.

Alina began working with Montessori curriculum during summer programs, and has loved working with the Infant/Toddler program at Elizabeth Academy. She is in her third year with EA, and attends UMC conferences and trainings whenever possible.

 Holly Postma is a versatile educator with experience in behavior support, career and technical education, and student leadership. She brings a strengths-based approach to social-emotional learning and career readiness, helping students build confidence, independence, and practical life skills. Holly is committed to fostering workplace preparation, self-advocacy, and meaningful peer collaboration in her postsecondary teaching.

Kami Rivera has her MATCE for ages 0-3 from PMI (Prepared Montessorian Institute). She has a passion for the Montessori Method, her love for Montessori started in 2021 when she started working in a Montessori school in Ogden. Kami has worked with children most of her life, from babysitting when she was 12 to nannying and working in various daycares.  She loves that Montessori focuses on each individual child learning. 

In her free time, Kami enjoys working out, traveling, dancing and spending time with her family.

My name is Zaida Virginia Romero Chona, and I am originally from Venezuela. I was born, raised, educated, and worked there. I earned my degrees in Integral Education from the Libertador Experimental Pedagogical University, receiving the titles of Teacher: Education Specialty (2005) and Professor: Integral Education Specialty (2006). Subsequently, I pursued postgraduate studies and obtained the title of Specialist in Didactic Processes for the Basic Level (2009). Additionally, I received a certification from the Audubon Conservation Society of Venezuela (SCAV).

With over 15 years of experience working with children in Venezuela, I relocated to this beautiful country 10 years ago due to political circumstances. I am now honored to be part of Elizabeth Academy, which has afforded me the opportunity to continue practicing my profession.

Fernanda has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Utah in Gender Studies, History, and Portuguese, and an Infant and Toddler Montessori Certification from the Institute of Guided Studies. She’s been working with Infants and Toddlers in a Montessori school since 2012, and is about to begin her second year at Elizabeth Academy.

Prior to working with Infants and Toddlers, Fernanda spent time working with children with special needs, and in a restaurant for several years. In her spare time, Fernanda loves spending time with her kiddo (Silas), dancing, swimming, and working with plants. She is passionate about Infant and Toddler education and working with families as their tiny humans learn to grow and learn.

Jess completed her Master of Education degree and Montessori AMS Early Childhood credential through the Institute for Montessori Innovation at Westminster College. She has a Bachelor of Science in Early Elementary Education from the University of Utah. Jess has been an Early Childhood teacher at Elizabeth Academy since 2012. Prior to joining the Elizabeth Academy / Garfield School staff, Jessica was an Early Childhood teacher at Dancing Moose Montessori School.

In her free time, Jessica loves camping, Zumba, reading, photography, traveling (particularly to the Oregon Coast), and writing.

Hadley was originally a philosophy and premed student, but she fell in love with the field of education in 2015, after taking a job at a preschool in Seattle. Since then, she has come to realize there’s no other kind of work in the world she would rather do. She completed her Elementary Education Bachelors of Science with the University of Utah and is currently working toward an IMC Early Childhood credential.

When not at work, Hadley likes to embroider, watch movies, dance, backpack, and do all kinds of arts and crafts. She enjoys vintage fashion and mending or making clothes. Currently, she lives in Salt Lake City with her partner, their 3 massive cats, and about two dozen house plants; but she’s lived in 11 ½ different US states throughout her life so far. Each new place came with new people and a different way of living. Over the years, all these experiences taught her the importance of being able to simultaneously honor the things that make each of us unique and recognize the things that make all of us human. She is thrilled to be part of the outstanding Elizabeth Academy learning community!

Kylamen found Elizabeth Academy while doing her student teaching. She received her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education in December of 2021 from Grand Canyon University. Prior to this she worked for a Montessori School in West Valley when she got her Montessori Diploma through the North American Montessori Center. Her favorite part about teaching is seeing her students become more independent and finding things to teach them through following the child’s interest.

Kylamen also loves to spend time teaching and participating in aerial fitness. She also enjoys spending time with her fiance and dog.